I need tips on how to study lots of material in a short time span

I usually study by making outlines and notes from the textbook. Then on my outlines I write mnenomics and keywords that help me remember concepts and ideas from each chapter. I'm able to retain so much material this way. this worked great in pre requisites because i had less chapters and more time to study. but due to the high amount of material that I have in nursing school I'm spending more time writing notes and creating outlines than studying (i was lucky to pass my first nursing exam though with this method). its becoming overwhelming. i have 12 chapters to read and a test due next week and it takes me three days just to write my outlines. and then in another class i have 8 chapters to read and I am trying to find enough time to make an outline for that exam too. I wish I could just study straight out the book. it would save so much time. but my brain just doesn't work that way. can anyone give me some fast effective tips on how to study? my insructors do not provide powerpoints. we have to just read the assigned material and then get tested on it the following week

Go to quizlet, search for the topics, go through the flashcards and then google questions and answers on those topics. I don't even bother reading the entire chapters anymore. The best thing that works for me is doing questions on a Nclex book, Saunders or the like, and then going thru the rationales for each answer. It really does help! Good luck!

Go to quizlet, search for the topics, go through the flashcards and then google questions and answers on those topics. I don't even bother reading the entire chapters anymore. The best thing that works for me is doing questions on a Nclex book, Saunders or the like, and then going thru the rationales for each answer. It really does help! Good luck!

I have yet to buy a NCLEX book. so they tend to cover the same topics that my nursing fundamentals book does?

Feb 3, '13

Joined: Feb '12; Posts: 45; Likes: 26

I don't know what your books are like but some have learning objectives at the start of each chapter, read those and look through the chapters until you know those things, they're often the important points. Also, if there are bolded definition words, learn those. Some books have questions at the end of each section or chapter, try answering those and skimming the chapter for the answers. Also pictures and diagrams are a quick and easy way to get the idea of main points. Most books will have one or more of those things. Hope this helps!!

I also used to spend a lot more time writing that reading. So I started typing it out instead because it went much faster. I would do all the questions by answering them outloud so that I didn't have to waste time writing those either.

I would talk out loud like a crazy person as if I was teaching it or explaining it when I didn't feel like typing or writing. One of my teachers said if you don't know how to explain it in simple terms to a non-medical person, then you don't really get it.

Feb 4, '13

Joined: Jul '12; Posts: 5; Likes: 2

Not sure if your text offers the same as mine but I bought the supplemental study guide/review book that goes along with mine (Kozier and Erb). It has an outline of each chapter already made up as well as key topic questions, important terms, and some NCLEX practice questions. Might be something you could look into purchasing to help you out. Best of luck. I'm in my first semester and feel overwhelmed with all the reading/information needed as well.

Feb 4, '13

Joined: Apr '11; Posts: 0; Likes: 385

Outlines are a good start, and if it takes you three days, that's fine too.

Do you know about concept mapping? It's like outlining, only in two dimensions (all over the page), not just linear. This is a longish article on how it works and why it's so helpful, but cool.http://cmap.ihmc.us/publications/researchpapers/theorycmaps/theoryunderlyingconceptmaps.htm
When students know how a lot of things all fit together, they do much better on nursing exams. This is because nursing exams (like, duh, nursing) expect you to remember and apply the science and previously learned material to the new content. Concept mapping lends itself to this admirably.

Feb 4, '13

Joined: Jun '12; Posts: 87; Likes: 19

Yes Emily Nclex books have lots of questions very similar to those you will encounter on exams! I recommend you get one ASAP! :-)

Feb 10, '13

Joined: Jul '10; Posts: 273; Likes: 94

I like prepu nclex 10,000. Helps me somewhat. I'm having the same trouble. The questions in the nclex review are much different than I get on the tests. We get really goofy questions I have not studied for at all. I'm doing extremely poorly. We have pscyh and med surg this semester.